What GRE score do I need to balance out my lower end of the spectrum GPA

[knr1527]

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I have a 3.58 GPA at a decently ranked private school, with a science GPA of 3.55.

I took the GRE once and got an 1160. I know I need to do much better. What score should I be aiming for?

The vet schools I'm applying to are Cornell, Upenn, Tufts, North Carolina, Western, Prince Edward Island U.

I know my GPA is low for vet school 🙁

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[twelvetigers]

Haha. Your GPA isn't bad at all. Chill!

The 1160 isn't amazing, but it's not bad. If you are pretty sure you can do better, you can take it again... but make certain you put in a fair amount of effort to actually do better, or else you're wasting your money.

You have experience, correct?

Why have you chosen the schools you have to apply to (curious, interesting spread)?

 

[knr1527]

Thanks for the encouragement, my adviser told the pre-vets we need a 3.8 to be competitive.

I choose those schools because Cornell is my in-state, and I've worked with vets from some of the others while getting my experience hours. I've heard Western has lower(ish) standards so I thought my chances might be better there.

I actually had a really hard time picking schools, I don't really know what to go by besides the number of their out of state acceptances and location. I avoided schools who heavily favor in-state students (most of the western schools), Florida, Texas, etc.

 

[jmo1012]

Thanks for the encouragement, my adviser told the pre-vets we need a 3.8 to be competitive.

i have learned that the ONLY place you're going to get really accurate and correct info about veterinary admissions is from the schools themselves. advisors often mean well but don't really know what they're talking about or don't quite know it all and the internet will give you a wide variety of opinions, but if you really want to know what a school thinks its just best to ask them (after all, they are the ones making the yes/no decisions 🙂)

 

[Coquette22]

Thanks for the encouragement, my adviser told the pre-vets we need a 3.8 to be competitive.

Your advisor would do well to check this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=776924 😉

 

[Alhazred]

NCSU has their GPA/GRE scores broken down here: http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/studentservices/documents/FAQ_DVM2011ApplicantReviewSession.pdf

What state do you live in?

 

[knr1527]

I live in NY. I really want Cornell but realistically it's a stretch.

 

[Cautionary Tail]

I've heard Western has lower(ish) standards so I thought my chances might be better there.

I think one of the biggest things to consider when you're looking at Western is whether or not their PBL method is something that will work for you. Are you a more self-directed learner, or do you prefer a more traditional lecture-based curriculum?

I liked what I saw when I interviewed there, but PBL definitely isn't for everyone.

 

[Dye It Purple]

Without ever having to pick up a phone or write an e-mail to ask, you can get most school's admissions statistics right off their websites. This will give you some idea of what their average GPA and GRE scores are. Keep in mind also that these are JUST averages, but they're still more realistic and helpful numbers than those your advisor is giving you. Your GPA is not all that low. I think you're in a pretty good place - not highly competitive, I suppose, but not even close to out of the game. It also depends greatly on what the rest of your application shows about you.

 

[sunnyshine]

If you want to get the average GRE/GPAs for all the schools you can probably get them on their websites and if not you can always buy a copy of the VMSAR. It has all that info plus tons more. I used it during my second app. and I highly recommend it. I can tell you that the 2011 edition lists cornell with an average GPA of 3.67 & GRE of V:522 Q:643.

I also think your statistics are very competitvie overall. I know several people (myself included) who got in with less.

 

[jtom]

I can tell you that the 2011 edition lists cornell with an average GPA of 3.67 & GRE of V:522 Q:643.

.

Really? Are those IS stats or OOS?

 

[sunnyshine]

Really? Are those IS stats or OOS?

They are the overall statistics of both the IS & OOS.

 

[knr1527]

well I just took the GRE again after studying a TON and got a 1290, hopefully that's good enough.

 

[2CatMatt]

Great job! 👍